Welcome toGrounded in Nature Forest School
At Grounded in Nature Forest School, we believe that the best learning happens outdoors. Our nature-based programs provide children with the freedom to explore, play, and develop essential life skills in a woodland setting.
- Child-Led Outdoor Learning – Encouraging creativity, confidence, and resilience through play and exploration.
- Hands-On Nature Experiences – Building skills, teamwork, and a deep connection with the environment.
- Safe & Supportive Environment – Expert-led sessions fostering growth, independence, and lifelong memories.
About
Grounded in Nature Forest School was founded by Eithne in 2022 after completing her Forest School Leader training. Inspired by her lifelong love for nature, Eithne created a space at Shankill Castle, Co. Kilkenny, where children can grow, explore, and connect with the natural world.
Eithne is a qualified Early Childhood Educator with experience working in Early Learning and Care (ELC) settings in Ireland and New Zealand, in children’s clubs across Europe, and teaching adults in Further Education. Her passion for nature-based learning led her to discover Forest School, which perfectly aligns with her vision of fostering a deeper connection between children and the natural world. Eithne is also dedicated to inspiring and supporting adults working with children to embrace nature and spend more time outdoors. She is committed to helping break down the barriers that prevent outdoor learning, encouraging adults to reconnect with the natural world, benefiting both their own well-being and that of the children they work with.
Having grown up in the countryside, Eithne developed a deep love for nature, spending her childhood exploring woods, streams, and fields. Raised by a mother who had an incredible knowledge of the natural world, Eithne was instilled with a deep love and respect for nature from a young age. She believes that every child should have the freedom to enjoy these simple, yet profound experiences—connecting with nature in the way she did growing up.
At Grounded in Nature Forest School, we are deeply committed to providing child-led, nature-based learning experiences that foster creativity, curiosity, and autonomy. We believe in giving children the freedom to lead their own learning, follow their own interests, and grow into the person they wish to be. Through outdoor play and exploration, children build resilience, develop life skills, and grow in confidence, all while deepening their connection with the natural world.
What We Offer
We offer outdoor learning experiences that nurture a love for nature, curiosity, and practical skills. Our programs cater to children and adults and include:
- Afternoon Forest School Sessions – Weekly, child-led sessions in 6-week blocks, where children follow their interests at their own pace, building skills like fire lighting, bushcraft, and more.
- Forest Camps – Fun-filled holiday camps where children explore, build, and learn through play, including nature games, fire lighting, and cooking over the fire.
- School Workshops- Introducing Forest School principles to schools through hands-on workshops that inspire outdoor learning, creativity, and connection with nature.
- Outdoor Learning & Nature-Based Professional Development –Providing hands-on training for educators and groups to build confidence in outdoor teaching through the Forest School approach and nature-based learning.
What is Forest School?
Forest School is a child-led, nature-based educational approach that takes place outdoors, where children are free to explore, play, and learn in a natural environment. It involves regular sessions, often weekly, in the same woodland or outdoor space, guided by trained Forest School Leaders. The focus is on self-led discovery, with activities that include bushcraft, tool skills, nature games, and physical challenges, all tailored to each child’s interests and abilities.
The Forest School approach nurtures creativity, problem-solving, resilience, and confidence by encouraging children to take risks, explore their surroundings, and work together. It provides a holistic learning experience that builds both social and physical skills, fosters emotional well-being, and deepens the connection between children and the natural world.
Children benefit from long-term, seasonal experiences in nature, which allow them to observe and learn about the world as it changes throughout the year. By connecting with nature over time, children also discover how their interests and needs can shift with the seasons, supporting their growth and development in a dynamic and responsive way.
The 6 Forest School Principles
Principle 1: Regular Sessions
Forest school is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than one-off or infrequent visits. The cycle of planning, observation, adaptation, and review links each session.
Principle 2: Woodland Setting
Forest school takes place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
Principle 3: Community
Forest school uses learner-centred processes to create a supportive community for learning and development.
Principle 4: Holistic Development
Forest school promotes the holistic development of learners, focusing on emotional, physical, cognitive, and social growth.
Principle 5: Opportunity to Take Risks
Forest school provides opportunities for children to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and themselves.
Principle 6: Qualified Practitioners
Forest school is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
Why Choose Us
We Present You an Extraordinary Experience
Join Our Forest School Community
We invite you to join us for a journey of discovery, play, and adventure in the heart of Kilkenny’s woodlands.
Want to learn more? Get in touch with us today!
Email: groundedinnaturefs@gmail.com
Location: Shankill Castle, Paulstown, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland
Let’s nurture curiosity, creativity, and confidence—one adventure at a time!